Public Health Wales statement on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
This statement will be updated daily at 2pm
Statement: Saturday 14 November 2020
Dr Chris Williams Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at
Public Health Wales, said:
“Public Health Wales strongly
advises the public to take personal responsibility for their actions and to
ensure that we are all doing as much as possible to limit the transmission of
Coronavirus.
“During this first weekend since the fire-break restrictions have been lifted, we would remind everyone that Coronavirus is still active in our communities, and therefore this does not mean a return to normality.
“We ask the public to
observe the new regulations and to limit their contact with other people as
much as possible so that we all work together to bring the numbers of positive
cases down.
“This means staying
out of other people’s homes, limiting the times and the numbers of people that
you meet, maintaining social distancing and hand hygiene, working from home if
you can, and self-isolating if you show symptoms of coronavirus or are asked to
do so by contact tracers.
“It is extremely important that we only make essential journeys, maintain strict social distancing with those we don’t live with, and reduce the number of people that we meet. All of these actions will help to break the chains of transmission, reduce the spread of the virus, and keep people safe.
“We understand that
people will want to carry on with their Christmas shopping now the fire-break
has ended and so we would suggest to try to visit shops during off-peak times,
to always maintain social distancing and to wear a face covering if you can.
Options such as ‘click and collect’ or online purchasing may also be something
to consider.
“Today is
Diwali, a festival which is celebrated by large numbers of people from India
and of Indian heritage. We would ask those who are celebrating to do so safely,
within your own household, and remember the regulations if you go out. If you choose to use fireworks, please take
care and follow the fireworks code to avoid injury. We wish everyone celebrating a happy Diwali.
“Urgent action has
been taken following reports from health authorities in Denmark that widespread
outbreaks of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been found in mink farms, with
subsequent spread of a mink-variant virus to the local community.
“Denmark was removed
from the UK Coronavirus travel corridor list on Friday 6 November. Any
travellers returning to the UK will now be required to self-isolate for 14 days
according to the national guidance and legislation https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control/self-isolating-when-you-arrive.
“This decision has
been taken as a precautionary measure and will prevent risk to Wales and the UK
from this new strain. Public Health Wales will be in touch with Welsh residents
who have been in Denmark in the past 14 days to explain that they and their
households are required to self-isolate.
“We would also advise
all members of the public with pet mink or ferrets to avoid contact with them
while symptomatic with any COVID symptoms.
“We recognise that many people may be finding
life more challenging, resulting in difficulties with mental health. There are
many agencies which provide help and support, including the C.A.L.L. helpline
on 0800 132 737, which will refer callers to the most appropriate organisation
according to their needs.
“If you are in severe
mental distress or are having suicidal thoughts, please contact Samaritans
Cymru free on 116 123.
“More information
about the new rules is available at the Welsh Government website.
“It is still important
to look after your health, and you can you continue to attend appointments and
seek help for urgent medical issues.
“Attending a booked
NHS flu vaccination appointment and any of Public Health Wales’ screening clinics is a legitimate
reason to travel during the firebreak.
“NHS Wales is still
here to help you if you need care, and it’s important you continue to attend
appointments and seek help for urgent medical issues. You can leave your home
to access local health services, including your GP surgery, dentist,
optometrist or other health service.
“You should phone
beforehand and follow any guidance your local surgery, dentist, optometrist or
health service has put in place to protect you and staff, including the need to
keep 2m away from other patients.
“It’s especially
important to look after our mental health and wellbeing at this time. You can find sources of advice and guidance
on our website if you need some help
or are worried about a loved one.
“If you or a member of
your household develop symptoms of the Coronavirus, such as a cough, fever or
change in sense of taste or smell, you must self-isolate immediately and book a
free Coronavirus test at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
“Helpful advice and
support is available via the NHS COVID-19 app. As well as providing
alerts if you have been in contact with someone with Coronavirus, the app will
also tell you the current risk level in your area.
“Information about the
symptoms of Coronavirus is available on the Public Health Wales website, or via
the NHS 111 Wales symptom checker.
Datganiad: Dydd Sadwrn 14 Tachwedd
Dywedodd Dr Chris Williams, Cyfarwyddwr Digwyddiadau ar gyfer yr ymateb i'r achosion o'r Coronafeirws Newydd (COVID-19) yn Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru:
“Mae Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru yn cynghori’r cyhoedd yn gryf i ysgwyddo cyfrifoldeb personol am eu gweithredoedd ac i sicrhau ein bod ni i gyd yn gwneud cymaint â phosib i gyfyngu ar drosglwyddo’r Coronafeirws.
“Yn ystod y penwythnos cyntaf ers codi cyfyngiadau’r cyfnod atal byr, hoffem atgoffa pawb bod y Coronafeirws yn bodoli o hyd yn ein cymunedau ni ac felly nid yw’n golygu dychwelyd i normalrwydd.
“Gofynnwn i’r cyhoedd gadw at y rheoliadau newydd a chyfyngu ar eu cyswllt â phobl eraill gymaint â phosib fel ein bod ni i gyd yn gweithio gyda’n gilydd i leihau nifer yr achosion positif.
“Mae hyn yn golygu cadw o gartrefi pobl eraill, cyfyngu ar y nifer o weithiau a’r nifer o bobl rydych yn eu cyfarfod, cadw pellter cymdeithasol a sicrhau hylendid dwylo, gweithio o gartref os gallwch chi, a hunanynysu os ydych chi’n dangos symptomau’r coronafeirws neu os gofynnir i chi wneud hynny gan olrheinwyr cysylltiadau.
“Mae'n hynod bwysig mai dim ond siwrneiau hanfodol ydym yn eu gwneud, gan gadw at fesurau cadw pellter cymdeithasol llym gyda'r rhai nad ydym yn byw gyda nhw, a lleihau nifer y bobl rydym yn cwrdd â hwy. Bydd yr holl gamau hyn yn helpu i dorri’r cadwyni trosglwyddo, yn lleihau lledaeniad y feirws, ac yn cadw pobl yn ddiogel.
“Rydym yn deall y bydd pobl eisiau parhau â'u siopa Nadolig gan fod y cyfnod atal byr wedi dod i ben erbyn hyn. Felly, byddem yn awgrymu ceisio ymweld â siopau yn ystod adegau tawel, er mwyn gallu cadw pellter cymdeithasol bob amser a gwisgo gorchudd wyneb os gallwch chi. Efallai y bydd opsiynau megis ‘clicio a chasglu’ neu brynu ar-lein yn bethau i’w hystyried hefyd.
“Mae’n ŵyl Diwali heddiw, sef gŵyl sy’n cael ei dathlu gan nifer fawr o bobl o India ac o dreftadaeth Indiaidd. Gofynnwn i'r rhai sy'n dathlu wneud hynny'n ddiogel, yn eich cartref eich hun, a chofio'r rheoliadau os byddwch yn mynd allan. Os byddwch yn dewis ddefnyddio tân gwyllt, cymerwch ofal a dilynwch y cod tân gwyllt i osgoi anaf. Rydym yn dymuno Diwali hapus i bawb sy’n dathlu.
“Cymerwyd camau yn dilyn adroddiadau gan awdurdodau iechyd yn Nenmarc bod achosion eang o’r Coronafeirws Newydd (COVID-19) wedi’u canfod ar ffermydd minc, a bod feirws amrywiad minc wedi’i ledaenu i'r gymuned leol o ganlyniad i hynny.
“Fel mesur rhagofalol, tynnwyd Denmarc oddi ar restr coridor teithio Coronafeirws y DU ddydd Gwener 6 Tachwedd. Bellach, bydd gofyn i unrhyw deithwyr sy'n dychwelyd i'r DU hunanynysu am 14 diwrnod yn unol â’r canllawiau a'r ddeddfwriaeth genedlaethol https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control/self-isolating-when-you-arrive.
“Byddem hefyd yn cynghori pob aelod o’r cyhoedd sy’n cadw mincod neu ffuredau fel anifeiliaid anwes i osgoi dod i gysylltiad â hwy tra mae ganddynt unrhyw symptomau COVID.
“Rydym yn deall bod llawer o bobl yn teimlo bod bywyd yn fwy heriol ar hyn o bryd, gan arwain at anawsterau gydag iechyd meddwl. Mae llawer o asiantaethau’n darparu help a chefnogaeth, gan gynnwys llinell gymorth C.A.L.L. ar 0800 132 737, a fydd yn cyfeirio pawb sy’n eu ffonio at y sefydliad mwyaf priodol yn unol â’u hanghenion.
“Os ydych chi’n dioddef o ofid meddyliol difrifol neu’n meddwl am hunanladdiad, cysylltwch â Samariaid Cymru am ddim ar 116 123. Hefyd mae ffynonellau o gyngor a chyfarwyddyd ar gael ar ein gwefan ni os oes arnoch chi angen help neu os ydych chi’n bryderus am anwyliaid.
“Mae GIG Cymru yma o hyd i'ch helpu chi os oes angen gofal arnoch, ac mae'n bwysig i chi barhau i fynychu apwyntiadau a chael cymorth ar gyfer materion meddygol brys. “Mae GIG Cymru yma o hyd i'ch helpu chi os oes angen gofal arnoch, ac mae'n bwysig i chi barhau i fynychu apwyntiadau a chael cymorth ar gyfer materion meddygol brys.
“Os byddwch chi neu aelod o'ch aelwyd yn datblygu symptomau’r Coronafeirws, fel peswch, tymheredd uchel neu newid i’ch synnwyr blasu neu arogli, rhaid i chi hunanynysu ar unwaith ac archebu prawf Coronafeirws am ddim yn www.gov.uk/get -coronavirus-test neu drwy ffonio 119.
“Mae cyngor a chymorth defnyddiol ar gael trwy ap COVID-19 y GIG. Yn ogystal â darparu rhybuddion os ydych chi wedi bod mewn cysylltiad â rhywun â’r Coronafeirws, bydd yr ap hefyd yn dweud wrthych chi beth yw lefel gyfredol y risg yn eich ardal chi.
“Mae gwybodaeth am symptomau’r Coronafeirws ar gael ar wefan Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru, neu drwy wiriwr symptomau GIG 111 Cymru.